Practical information 


Contact: 

Dana Duda
Admissions Coordinator

Admission News

Practical information for incoming students 

The information which you can find below will help you plan your stay in Warsaw. We understand the anxieties of coming to a country where the society and culture may differ from yours. Therefore, listed below is some essential information regarding the organization of the academic year,  how to get to the University and around the city, insurance and other issues you have to take care of before your arrival including visa requirements and procedures etc.

We also encourage you to contact the Kozminski International Business School staff. They are always ready to assist you and to answer all your queries. 

For questions regarding admission or the visa application process contact the Admissions Office: admission@kozminski.edu.pl

If you are already a student at Kozminski University and have questions regarding your studies contact the Kozminski International Business School Programs Office and if you have questions about the city and its social life, use our Facebook pages to contact other students or get in touch with the Student Council or the Erasmus Student Network.

Generally to receive news from Kozminski University regarding student life and events have a look at our Facebook pages: 

www.facebook.com/kozminski.university - FB site in English, and www.facebook.com/kozminski - FB site in Polish 

Visa and consular information

Information regarding legalization of your stay in Poland 

Foreign students from non-EU countries must apply for a Student Visa in the Polish Embassy or consulate in their home country before arriving to Poland. Candidates in need of assistance should contact the Kozminski University Admissions Office: admission@kozminski.edu.pl or +48 22 519 2269.

An EU student can enter Poland with his/her ID document (a valid travel document e.g. passport, or another document certifying his/her identity and citizenship). If a student intends to visit Poland's neighboring countries (not all of them are EU Member States), a passport is recommended. Citizens of the EEA countries are subject to the same conditions as EU citizens. Citizens of Switzerland can enter Poland only on the basis of a valid passport. 

For stays of up to 3 months no legalization of stay will be necessary. For stays exceeding 3 months, an EU student will have to obtain a temporary residence permit or a residence permit (Karta pobytu obywatela UE). In case of students, the residence permit is issued for one year and can be extended every year until the completion of your studies. This document will be issued by the Department of Citizens Affairs of the Voivodeship Office in 5 Długa St. in Warsaw (Wydział ds Cudzoziemców ul. Długa 5). Temporary residence permits will be granted to EU students who have health insurance and sufficient resources to cover their expenses without needing social security support. 

The students of a non-EU/EEA country can enter the territory of Poland on the basis of a valid travel document (passport) and a visa (if required). A student of a non-EU country has to obtain a visa from the consulate of Poland in his/her country of residence. A short-term visa entitles the holder to stay in Poland for up to 3 months, a long-term visa - up to 1 year. At least 45 days before the visa expires, students must apply for the temporary residence permit (karta czasowego pobytu) at the the Voivodeship Office (Wydział ds Cudzoziemców ul. Długa 5) Prolongation of a visa in Poland is only possible in cases of force majeure or situations impossible to foresee while applying for the visa in consulate. The visa can be prolonged only once. An application form for Polish visa is available at: www.msz.gov.pl. 

For more information about the residence permit please visit the website of the Department for Foreigners or contact the KIBS office 

More practical information about: arriving to Poland, legalizing your stay, medical care and insurance, recognition of diplomas, driving license, addresses of diplomatic missions of EU and EEA in Poland you will find on the website: www.msz.gov.pl/The,Schengen,Info,12589.html

How to get here - Transportation to and around Warsaw

How to get here - Transportation to and around Warsaw 

Getting to Warsaw

By air

If you come to Poland by air, we strongly recommend you a direct flight to Warsaw (Frederic Chopin International Airport - Okęcie). Direct flight from many European cities, as well as from New York, Chicago, Toronto, Tel Aviv, etc. are available. The Okęcie airport is situated 10 km from the city centre. In order to get to the city you may take a taxi, a shuttle bus or use the local transport (ZTM) bus.

Airlines that fly to Warsaw Airport

Aer Lingus (EI), Aeroflot Russian Airlines (SU), Aerosvit Airlines (VV), Air Baltic (BT), Air Berlin (AB), Air Europa (UX), Air France (AF), Air Ukraine (6U), Alitalia (AZ), Austrian Airlines (OS), BMI (BD), British Airways (BA), Brussels Airlines (SN), Cyprus Airways (CY), Czech Airlines (OK), EasyJet (EZ), EI AI Israel Airlines (LY), Finnair (AY), Germanwings (4U), KLM Dutch Airlines (KL), LOT Polish Airlines (LO), Lufthansa (LH), Luxair (LG), MALEV (MA), Pulkovo Aviation Enterprise (FV), SAS (SK), SWISS (LX), Tunisair (TU), Turkish Airlines (TK), Wizz Air (WZ). 

By train

Poland has a good network of rail lines. The fastest and most expensive are 'express trains' (Eurocity, Intercity), connecting Poland directly with major European capitals (Berlin, Brussels, Vilnius, Kiev, Vienna, Prague, Moscow, Budapest). Slightly slower are 'fast trains', on which no seat reservations are needed. Even slowerl 'passenger trains' reach almost every town around the country. 

An Intercity ticket from Cracow to Warsaw costs about 20 Euro; for a fast train you'll pay about 12 Euro. Brussels can be reached by train from Warsaw in about 17 hours. Tickets cost about 195 Euro (including a couchette); to Berlin, you can get in six hours for 45 Euro.

For detailed information please see the official website of Polish State Railways at http://rozklad-pkp.pl/?q=en/node/143

By coach

Many travel agencies offer tickets for international coaches running to a variety of destinations across Europe. These buses are equiped with toilets, air-conditioning, reclining chairs, tea/coffee bars and other facilities. Young people (under 26) are offered a 10% discount. Discounts are also available to Euro26 and ISIC card holders. 'Polski Express' offers up to 30% discount to all ISIC card holders. For futher information please contact your travel agency. 

 

Travelling around Warsaw

Taxi

To get from the airport to the university one must get across the city. A taxi from the airport to the city center costs about 25-30PLN and directly to the university its should cost about 50-60PLN.

There are a number of taxi corporations in Warsaw. Those which are allowed to wait for passengers at airport taxi stops are more exclusive and also more expensive. You can order a cheper taxi but it's better to ask for an English speaking driver to avoid misunderstandings. Grosik Taxi is a cheaper taxti corporation tel: +48 22 646 46 46.

Shuttle bus 

There is an Airport-City shuttle bus that goes to major hotels in the city. It costs about 13PLN and runs every 10-15 minutes from 4:50a.m. to 11:00p.m. You can get a ticket at the Orbis tourist agency counter in the arrivals hall. 

Public transportation

The local bus 175 goes from the airport to the city centre (journey time - 30 minutes). Bus 188 goes to the eastern part of Warsaw (Praga, Grochow, Goclaw). There is also a night bus which runs to the central railway station every half an hour. Ticket prices are the same as for other ZTM buses - 2.40 zlotys during the day and 4.80 for night buses. The same same fee must be paid for each piece of luggage. 

 

Getting to the University

Kozminski University is located in the north-east of Warsaw, at 57/59 Jagiellońska Street, between the Gdański Bridge and the Grot-Rowecki Bridge. It takes 20 minutes by bus or tram to get here from downtown Warsaw. If you go by tram you should get off at the Jagiellońska MPWiK or PIMOT stop. When going by bus - get off at the PIMOT bus stop.

 

To plan your journeys around Warsaw using public transportation you can visit this journeyplanner website: http://warszawa.jakdojade.pl/?locale=en

 

Tram: 16, 18, 21
Bus: 101, 302 

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Living in Warsaw

Cost ofl living in Warsaw (per one semester) 

A reasonable total monthly budget would be about 500 - 600 Euro (excluding travels outside Poland as well as the costs of insurance). Although some students live on a much tighter budget. Examples above are based on good standard of accommodation.

Expenses PLN EURO
Accommodation
In a student house
In a flatshare
ca. 3000
3500-7000
ca. 750
875-1750
Approximate cost of living 5400-6000 1350-1500
Cost of educational materials 500 125
Other expenses 3000 750
Total (per one semester) 18950-21050 + tuition fee 4850-5375 + tuition fee

Examples of prices for products and services in Warsaw in 2011 given in PLN. Usually the exchange rate for EURO is about PLN/EUR = 4/1

Prodcut/Service PLN
bread 2
milk 2.5
butter 3
cheese 18 PLN / kg
coffe in a cafe 4-8
cinema ticket 20-25
fast-food meal 10-20
dinner in an average restaurant 50-80
pizza 15-30
single bus ticket for a student 1.8
monthly bus ticket for a student 45
good seat in the Opera 50

Cash machines (ATM) are available all over the city.

Expect your first month's expenses to be significantly higher.

Additional expenses which may occur include:

  • A refundable deposit for your accommodation (usually 1 or 2 moth's rent)
  • Initial expenditures (sheets, towels, cooking utensils, books, etc. depending on the accommodation provider)
  • Different fees and subscriptions, monthly tickets for public transportation, internet etc.
  • Health insurance (mandatory for non EU students)

Students are often offered various discounts (shops, transportation, theater, cinema, museums, bookshops). Always remember to present your student card.

Accommodation

Accommodation 

Kozminski University itself does not own housing facilities. However, Kozminski International Business School staff can assist you in finding accommodation at a public dormitory (limited availability) ar in a flatshare. Information regarding places available at a student house is available at the KIBS office but candidates interested in living in the dormitory must apply early. Dormitory accommodation is only available for international students during their first year of studies. Students who wish to seek privately-rented accommodation are advised to contact the office well before the beginning of their studies. KIBS office keeps an up-to-date list of available houses and flats in the city, and can offer advice and information in such matters as rent, contracts and utility charges. There are also accommodation agencies which we can recommend. Depending on location and size good standard flats in Warsaw are available from 350-450 EUR per month. We suggest for students to share flats and split the cost of rent betwen 2 or 3 people. This way accommodation can be cheaper than a student house and of better standard.

Get prepared for your arrival

Preparing to study in Poland 

Before you leave home 

We recommend that you prepare carefully and as early as possible for your departure as it is often difficult and time-consuming to complete all formalities and obtain the necessary papers.

  • Obtain a passport valid for the duration of your stay in Poland (it is advised that the validity of your passport should exceed the duration of your planned stay in Poland by at least 6 months)
  • If necessary, apply for a Polish entry visa (contact the local consulate in your country for more information)
  • Get a written confirmation that you have sufficient financial support for the entire period of study 
  • You will need a number of photographs (3,7x5,2cm) apart from the photos required in the admission process i.e. for your travel card, etc.
  • Collect the original documents listed in the Application Procedure (a-h items) 

 

Climate and clothing

Poland has a moderate climate with both maritime and continental elements. In general, summers are warm and winters are cool. The weather, however, tends to be fitful and the seasons may look quite different. Thus, the best advice we can give you is to be prepared for anything. The crucial clothing item is a warm jumper or sweater; in winter you will also need gloves, a scarf and a cap. 

For weather forcast please visit: www.pogodynka.pl/miasto.php 

 

Money and currency exchange

Poland's official currency is the zloty (PLN), divided into 100 groszy. The currency comes in coins (from 1 grosz to 5 zlotys) and bills (from 10 to 200 zlotys). The Polish zloty is fully convertible and available at numerous exchange points and banks throughout Warsaw and all other Polish cities. Banks in your country might not have zloty immediately available but it is usually possible to order a currency exchange. The exchange rates relatively stable but there are some slight fluctuations (approx. 1 USD = 3.00 PLN and 1 EUR = 4.00 PLN). To check the current exchange rate visit the website of the National Bank of Poland here: www.nbp.pl (rates are available here: www.nbp.pl/homen.aspx) 

The safest places to exchange currencies are banks. They may, however, offer lower exchange rates than other places. Some of them collect service fees (about 2-3% per transaction). Banks are open from Monday to Friday (average 9.00a.m. to 5.00p.m.), and some of them on Saturdays (till 1.00p.m.). Better exchange rates are offered by specialised currency exchange points but those in airports should generally be avoided due to infavorable exchange rates (even worse then banks). 

You can also withdraw money from your own bank or credit account using ATMs that are widely available all over the city. Look for a "Bankomat" sign. Most major debit and credit cards are accepted: VISA, American Express, Diner's Club, MasterCard, and Eurocard. Most sales points in the city accept credit card payments. 

Travellers' guide and cultural/business information: www.gowarsaw.eu/en

Admission information